WA stadium a political football

The future home of the AFL in Western Australia has emerged as an election issue after WA Labor announced plans to switch from the Barnett government’s chosen site.

If elected on March 9, Labor will scrap plans for a $1.2 billion stadium next to the Crown Perth Casino in favour of a $900 million stadium in the inner-western suburb of Subiaco. The $300 million saving would be diverted for Labor’s flagship $3.8 billion Metronet rail plan.

Labor leader
Mark McGowan
said he would rather see Subiaco businesses than Crown chairman
James Packer
benefit from AFL crowds. “I have nothing against James Packer, but I do think making sure we support small business over big business is the way to do this," Mr McGowan said. He said he approached Crown to help pay for the stadium but was rebuffed. Crown was contacted for comment.

The need for a new stadium has been the subject of debate in WA for more than a decade. The present venue, Patersons Stadium, has a capacity of just 43,500 and is hindering the membership growth of WA’s AFL clubs.

Liberal Premier
Colin Barnett
scrapped Labor plans in 2008 and opted for the site near Crown for a new 60,000-seat stadium; building is due to begin within months. He said Labor’s plan would delay the project by two years and was motivated by “sheer panic" over the cost of Metronet. Both parties have pledged to open a new stadium in time for the start of the 2018 AFL season.

Labor announced other cuts yesterday to fund Metronet, including cutting $339 million of state funding earmarked for the stalled Oakajee port project. Mr McGowan said the private sector should build the port, which would open up the mid-west region’s iron ore market. Mr Barnett said Labor would cripple development in the region.